Police Scotland has issued a warning ahead of a new emergency alarm test.
Millions of phones across the country will sound an alarm as part of a nationwide test of a new system designed to inform people of dangerous or life-threatening situations.
The alarm will be received on 4G and 5G mobile phones, along with sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds.
Phone users then swipe or click the message before using their phone as normal.
Ahead of the test at 3pm on April 23, Police Scotland's Safer Communities channel has issued a reminder.
A statement shared today reads: "The new Emergency Alerts system will be tested on April 23.
"The system will warn people when their lives are in danger. An Emergency Alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on your mobile phone screen."
The new Emergency Alerts system will be tested on April 23. The system will warn people when their lives are in danger. An Emergency Alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a message on your mobile phone screen. To find out more, visit https://t.co/x5T7RYAkBe pic.twitter.com/OwY3wLpikd
— Police Scotland Safer Communities (@PSsafercomms) April 13, 2023
The system is modelled on similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan and people may receive an alert for incidents such as fires, extreme weather severe flooding.
People who do not wish to receive the alerts will be able to opt out, but officials hope the life-saving potential of the messages means that users will keep them on.
National Fire Chiefs Council chairman Mark Hardingham said: “For 10 seconds the national test may be inconvenient for some, but please forgive us for the intrusion because, the next time you hear it, your life, and the life-saving actions of our emergency services, could depend on it.”
To find out more, visit www.gov.uk/alerts.
